Saturday, March 15, 2008

Match #12 (15 March 08): 2-3 loss to OVS

after a winning run of 7 in which we scored a minimum of 4 goals each game, finally someone's got to make us start all over. the jinx field, not the side as chye wryly observed. we had beaten OVS at JJC, but never on their spiritual home of VS. still, with our confidence sky high, we started the match at a high tempo and winning many 50-50 balls. the team kept compact for a good 20 minutes and we took the lead. st watched the run of gan as kh kept a defender busy, released a through ball for gan to run into, held off the attentions of a defender and scored. as we continued to pressure, leng received a lovely right wing cross, chested, and as the ball take ages to drop, he unleashed a volley which kumar, inspired by the presence of karen, tipped over majestically. soon our fast tempo had to wilt under the scorching sun and OVS equalized. OVS switched the ball around well and put the ball into the box for old indian striker. still with much to do, he showed that old age can't deny experience and technique as he buried a stiff low grounder with panache.

second half was the decider and all 3 goals were a result of the teams making the mistake under relentless pressure. OVS dominated the first part and took the lead as they poured men into the box and capitalized on a mistake from keeper. we had our own stroke of fortune as a good cross from yc was turned into a beautifully placed finish by an OVS defender. then as we started to regain the initiative and pressed for a winner, OVS scored again as a forced clearance from our left ended up as a pass into our box for their most dangerous player. he needed no invitation to win the game for OVS.

so it leaves us now hungry for the next match against techwood. a week to get psyched up!

1 comment:

Chye said...

fitness, fitness, fitness. I think this is the main reason we lost. Other then Kian Hwa and See Chiang, I see that the fitness of the rest including myself is real bad. OVS has a few players that are definitely older then us, but have better fitness then us.

Without fitness, we cannot pass, we are slow to support the attack, slow to defend and slow to meet the ball. Mark will be able to tell the difference. usually when he play for us, once he get the ball, opponent will be on him making it difficult for him to control or pass the ball. But on this game, look at the time he has on the ball.
So my suggestion is as follows :
a) Make Kian Hwa and See chiang centre midfielder, they can run up and down to support the attack and defends.
b) I will volunteer to take over Kian Hwa's position as the striker, cause I got no fitness to run and chase the ball or mark players.

Hahaha, teh suggestion is only a joke. I will "try","try","try" hard to improve my fitness.....